Emily Brown
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide, which some readers may find distressing.
An Australian actor and mother is asking for help to raise funds to 'cryogenically preserve' the body of her 13-year-old son after he died by suicide.
Clare McCann, who appeared on shows such as Blog Party and Clublife, shared the news of her son Atreyu's death in a post on Instagram on May 24.
In the post, the mom described Atreyu as being the 'brightest light' in her world, saying he was 'kind, creative, and endlessly loved'.
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"Right now, we are grieving a loss that words can’t hold. Please give us time and space as we process this unimaginable pain," the mom added, noting the family would 'share more when [they're] ready'.
Atreyu was just 13-years-old when he took his own life, though Clare wrote that her son's life had been 'stolen'.
In another post following the announcement of her son's death, the actor said that Atreyu's decision to end his life was 'not his fault'.
She alleged he suffered 'horrendous amounts of bullying' prior to his death, and claimed he was 'let down by the schooling system', after he was targeted when starting high school, having previously been home schooled.
In an interview with news.com.au, McCann said: “It was just relentless. He started to withdraw he wouldn’t speak to me about all the things but I was still advocating for him every day.
“They wouldn’t expel or suspend it’s wrong when there are so many incidents in schools. The school system fails children."
McCann claimed she made repeated formal complaints about bullying to the South Sydney High School, as well as to the Department of Education and Children’s Services.
She said that she had medical information and a confirmed PTSD diagnosis to back her up, but 'no one listened'.
In her most recent post following Atreyu's death, McCann said she 'humbly beg[ged]' her followers to 'help [her] preserve his life'.
The post included a link to a GoFundMe page which is titled 'Help Preserve My Son After Bullying Tragedy', and has a goal of $300,000 AUD ($195,084), which Clare says she needs 'urgently' to 'cryogenically preserve [Atreyu's] body within the next 7 days'.
Otherwise, she says, 'the opportunity for him to live again will be lost forever'.
McCann told news.com.au that she and Atreyu had previously spoken about cryogenics in relation to humans, which involves freezing a body at very low temperatures in the hope that the person could one day be revived.
She explained: “About six or seven years ago we started talking about the after life and heaven and I talked to him a little about cryogenics, and he told me he would like to do that.
“Over the years we talked about that that’s what we would want to do together, never separate. He deserves a second chance to live the life he wanted."
At the time of writing (May 26), the fundraiser has raised $4,130 AUD ($2,685).
McCann said every dollar raised will go toward 'immediate cryopreservation and legal transportation, required medical and legal services for the procedure', as well as a trust in Atreyu’s name which will 'protect his legacy'.
Any additional funds raised will go towards anti-bullying education and reform.
“All I really need to say is how much I really need these funds to give my son what he wanted,” McCann told news.com.au.
Deborah Summerhayes, NSW Deputy Secretary of Public Schools, said in a statement the department was 'devastated to learn of the death of a student from a Sydney high school'.
“The Department of Education is providing counselling and other wellbeing support to students and staff who require it,” she said in a statement.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car also commented on Atreyu's death, saying: “The death of Atreyu McCann is a tragic loss for his family, loved ones and the whole school community.
“No parent should go through the distress of losing a child in this way, and my deepest sympathies are with the McCann family at this difficult time."
UNILAD has reached out to the South Sydney High School for comment.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.